Liverpool Council has responded to bombshell reports that emerged overnight suggesting the entire authority could be taken over by government.
The Telegraph has reported that Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick is 'likely' to send Whitehall commissioners to take over the day-to-day running of the rocking Cunard administration.
A government investigation has been taking place at the council since the start of the year, led by inspector Max Caller.
Mr Caller was sent to Liverpool by Mr Jenrick after the arrest of Liverpool's Elected Mayor Joe Anderson in December as part of a corruption probe that has seen a number of other arrests linked to the local authority.
Mr Caller has been scrutinising the actions of the council's regeneration, planning, highways and property management departments over the past three months and his report is expected to deliver a damning verdict.
Mr Jenrick will set out the next steps for the council via a Parliamentary statement this week and, according to the Telegraph, is likely to order the full Whitehall takeover of the major city council.
The full report is expected to be published following the Secretary of State's comments.
This dramatic move has only happened three times in the past 25 years.
Instances include Northampton in 2018, Rotherham in 2015 and Towers Hamlets in 2014 - with none of those areas on the scale of Liverpool.
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A city council spokesperson today said: "The inspection report is due to be published by the government in the coming days.
"Until that time we are unable to comment."
When approached by the Echo a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "The Secretary of State has received the independent best value inspection team’s report. This is being considered carefully and next steps will be set out shortly.”
